Pelecanidae

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Pelecanidae (pelicans; class Aves, order Pelecaniformes) A family of large, white, brown, or grey birds which have long, broad wings, short tails, and a long, broad bill, the lower mandible of which has a large, distensible pouch. The feet are totipalmate. Pelicans inhabit estuaries and inland and coastal waters, feed on fish and crustaceans, and nest colonially in trees or on the ground. There is one genus, Pelecanus, with eight species, found in southern Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and N., Central, and S. America.

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